60% cigarette packs complying with display warning conditions

New Delhi, Sep 20: Over 60 per cent packs of cigarette and 46 per cent of smokeless tobacco are complying with the Centre's mandated 85 per cent pictorial warning requirements, according to a nationwide survey which asserted that contrary to claims of major tobacco companies, printing of the new warnings was "feasible".

For Delhi, the study found that 54 per cent of the cigarette packs and 55 per cent of smokeless tobacco packs were fully compliant with all the labeling requirements mandated under the the law.

The study conducted by Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and other health bodies urged the government to strictly enforce the new rules, saying health warnings on tobacco packages are a "direct and cost-effective" means of communication to inform about the health risks of tobacco.

"67 per cent of the cigarette packs were fully compliant with all the labeling requirements of the law - graphic, text content, location and size (85 per cent of the principal display area) of the health warning labels. 16 per cent of the bidi packs displayed a pictorial and text health warning label that covered 85 per cent.

"46 per cent of the smokeless tobacco packs displayed a pictorial and text health warning label that covered 85 per cent of the principal display area of both sides of the pack," the study said.

The data was collected during June-July, two months after implementation of the new rules on April 1 this year in eight states - Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

"The data collected demonstrates that contrary to the claim of major tobacco companies, printing the new 85 per cent warnings is practically feasible on all tobacco products.

"The evidence is indisputable and shows that tobacco manufacturers are capable of complying with all the provisions of the government's mandate," the study said.

During this study, a total of 786 cigarette packs were observed from 24 brands of four tobacco companies and 665 packs were observed from seven different smokeless tobacco products from 48 brands of 36 tobacco companies and 20 brands of non-identified tobacco companies.

With immense pride “India Live” celebrated its 10th national conference in Mumbai from 28th February to 3rd March 2019. The conference turned out to be a gold mine of information, with emphasis on academics, education and exchange of knowledge with leaders in interventional cardiology from both India and abroad.